Combined tool



Nov. 26, 1957 w. E. BASSETT COMBINED TOOL Original Filed Oct. 10, 1956INVENTOR Mum/w E. 84.9.9577

ATTORNEYS 2,814,108 Patented Nov. 26, 1957 fiice COMBINED TOOL WilliamE. Bassett, Woodbridge, Conn.

Original application October 10, 1956, Serial No. 615,200,

now Patent No. 2,798,290, dated July 9, 1957. Divided and thisapplication March 8, 1957, Serial No. 648,455

4 Claims. (Cl. 30-152) My invention relates to a combined tool involvinga case and plural tool elements protected by the case and selectivelyavailable for use. This application is a division from my copendingapplication, Serial No. 615,200, filed October 10, 1956, now Patent No.2,798,290.

it is an object of the invention to provide an improved device of thecharacter indicated.

It is another object to provide a simplified combined tool of thecharacter indicated, wherein the selected tool may be removed andpositioned for use without disturbing the position of the other toolelements.

It is also an object to provide an improved device of the characterindicated, wherein a plurality of tool elements are supported on thesame pivot axis and in which detent means formed integrally out of thetool elements and out of the case serve to retain selected positions ofselected tool elements independently of each other.

It is a general object to meet the above objects with a very simpleconstruction which will not wear loose, which will avoid the use ofwashers, and which will require no more parts than merely the separatetool elements, the case, and the means on which they are pivoted.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention willbe pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a readingof the following specification, in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only,preferred for-ms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view in perspective showing a disassembledcombined tool of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the fully assembled tool of Fig. 1,with the tool elements held in closed position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the device ofFig. 2, with an outer or side tool element removed;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged left-end view of the assembly of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view in the plane 5-5 of Fig. 2;

. Fig. 6 is an inverted perspective view of one end of a tool caserepresenting a modification of the variety displayed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 'is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 3,but illustrating the modified combination using the case of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of another modifiedcase;

'- Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view to illustratecooperation of the parts with the modification of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but illustrating a still furthermodification; I

Fig. 11 is a view similar toFig. 1 to illustrate a modified assembly;and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to Fig- 5 and taken in the plane12-12 of Fig. -11. I

' Briefly stated, my invention contemplates a combined tool of utmostsimplicity, comprising essentially only a case, a plurality of bladedtool elements, and a single pivot-fastening means securing the bladeelements to the case. This case is of sheet material, preferably springsteel, of channel section defining upstanding side walls connected by abase. Novel spacer and detent mechanisms are described for permittingthe easy independent operation of a selected one of the various blademembers and for releasably holding a selected one or more of the blademembers in closed or in open position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the invention is shown inapplication to a tool comprising five parts, namely, a case 10, threetool elements 11-12-13, and a pivot fastener 14, such as a rivet oreyelet. The tool elements are formed of flat stock, and may be referredto as blade members. Blade member 11 has a roughened surface to serve asa file and is locally recessed at 15 for engagement by a fingernail toremove the same. Blade member 12 is contoured as a bottle-cap removerand is also locally recessed at 16 for fingernail engagement. Blademember 13 is formed with a knife edge and may be locally recessed at 17for fingernail engagement. The case 10 is formed from a single piece ofsheet metal, folded along spaced elongated edges 18-19 to define opposedupstanding side walls 20-21 between which the blade members 11-12-13 areremovably received. The upper edge of each of the side walls may berecessed, as at 22, to provide fingernail access to the various recessedportions 15-16-17 of the blade elements. Aligned openings 22 in the sidewalls 20-21 are located near the base 27 in order to clear the outerends of all blades 11-12-13 (when closed), so that openings 22' may, forexample accommodate a key chain or the like (not shown).

', In order to provide easy-acting (that is, non-binding) frictionalretention of the blades 11-12-13, regardless of angular position, eachof the outer blades 11-13 is shown formed with a dimple or bump 23-24,olfset from the pivot axis and projecting laterally to ride on theadjacent flat surface of the central blade member 12. Since the blades11-13 are cut from sheet stock, the formation of each dimple or bump23-24 necessarily involves formation of corresponding recesses 23-24' onthe blade surfaces immediately adjacent the side walls 20-21 (see Fig.5).

In accordance with the invention, I provide further dimples or bumps25-26 in the side walls 20-21 of the case, said further bumps 25-26being in register with the recesses 23'-24' for one desired angle ofretention of the blade members. For the form shown, this desiredretention angle is for the blade-closed position; thus, when thenail-file blade 11 is moved to the closed position between side walls20-21, the bump 25 will fall into the socket of recess 23' to locateblade 11 in the closed position.

Preferably, the rivet or eyelet 14 is tightly swaged to the side wallsso as to hold said walls frictionally against the blade members11-12-13. Thus, as a selected blade 11 or 13 is moved out of the closedposition, one

of the bumps 25-26 will ride out of the socket (23-24') in which it isreceived, so as to more firmly axially compressionally load all blademembers against each other at their points of contact. This will mean aslight sepa ration of one of the side walls (20-21) from the adjacentselected blade member (11 or 13) as such blade member is lifted out ofthe closed position.

Thus, while such blade member 11 or 13 is being positioned, its onlypoints of axial thrust-bearing contact with the adjacent parts 12 and20-21 (as the case may be) will be localized at one of the bumps23-24-25-26,

and easy action is assured for all angular positions of such blademember. Once the file blade 11 has been lifted, ready access ispresented to the central blade 12 for removal, and the same essentiallysingle-point axialthrust-bearing contact characterizes suspension of theblade 12 as that described for blades 11 or 13, so that for all angularpositions of the central blade 12, easy action and firm, resilientretention are assured.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, I provide,integrally with the blade members 11-12-13 and with the case 10,coacting spring-detent means for retention of one of the extremepositions of movement of a selected blade member, it being a particularfeature that the detent part integral with the case serves the detentparts of all the blade members in common. For the form shown, theposition of blade retention is the outer position, shown for the fileblade 11 in Fig. 3.

The pivoted end of each of the blade members may be generally arcuate ata radius to clear the inner surface of the base 27, but at one angularlocation, as at 28 for the blade 11, and at 28-28" for the blades 12-13,I provide a radially projecting detent lobe. The projection of lobe 28is preferably of radial extent (about the pivotal axis) slightlyexceeding the space between the base 27 and the pivotal axis; thus, fordetent action to take place, one of thelobes 28 will have to beardirectly on the base 27.

I prefer that the base 27 be locally weakened at the location of'contactwith lobe 28, and in Fig. 3 I show that the base 27 has been slitted todefine an integral leaf spring 29 to resiliently ride the arcuate bladeend, including lobe 28. Preferably, the lobe 28 is so located on theblade 11 as to assume a position on spring 29 past dead center, for therelationship shown in Fig. 3. By this I mean that lobe 28 will have hadto pass through the vertical plane (said plane being through the pivotaxis and normal to the base 27), just before assuming; theposition shownin Fig. 3.

The slits defining the spring 29 preferably terminate short of the pivotend of the case 11 so that an integral connecting piece or bridge 30defines a rigid stop to locate the extended position of a selected tooledge, said tool being. provided with a notch or recess 31 to be engagedby stop 30. The spring 29 is necessarily defined by two elongated slitsconnected by a transverse slit 32. Preferably, this. transverse slit 32is near the outer end of the caselt), so that the main body of the casemay provide primary; support and reference for the spring 29. Thelongitudinal slits defining the spring 29 may be and preferably are cuton the folds defining edges 18-19 of the case.10'.

If desired, inwardly directed bumps 33-34 may be formed in the. sidewalls 20-21 near the opposite end of the tool. and in position to engagethe adjacent side surfaces of the outer blade members 11-13. It will beappreciated that if the case 16 is made of sufficiently strong stock,the simultaneous closure of all tool elements 11-12-13 into the positionshown in Fig. 4 will necessarily involve engagement with both dimples33-34, thereby slightly outwardly deforming the side walls 20-21 (thedeformation being shown exaggerated in Fig. 4), so that by reaction, theadjacent side faces of the various blade members 11-12-13 may be infrictional contact. All blade members are thus securely retained in theclosed position so that, when the tool is carried in ones pocket, thetool elements are not at all likely to drop out of closed position.

In Figs. 6 and 7, I show an alternative means for detent-retention ofthe blade members in the open position. Fig. 7'illustrates that detentaction involves coaction between a lobe, such as the lobe, 28 on blade41, and a transverse slot or opening 42. in the base 43 of case 44.

If desired, a second lobe 45 may be formed at:a location.

substantially diametrically opposed to the. lobe 28'so. as

to also engage the slot 42 with detent action, but for the closed-bladeposition, as will be understood.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a further means of detent-retention of theblades in open position, and in Fig. 9 the pivoted end of a blade 46 isshown formed with a discontinuity, such as a recess 47, to receive aninwardly pressed spring portion 48 formed integrally out of the base 49of case 50. The spring portion 48 may be defined between laterallyspaced longitudinal slits 51-52 near the location of vertical supportfor the blade 46. If desired, a second recessed discontinuity 53 mayalso be formed in the pivoted end of the blade 46, at a diametricallyopposite location, to releasably retain the closed position of theblade.

In Fig. 10, I show a still further alternative in which detent actionagain involves cooperation between a part of a blade 54 and the base 55of a case 56. However, in Fig. 10, no special formation is required onthe base 55, and spring action is achieved through locally weakenedparts of the blade 54. As shown, a first discontinuity, bump, orprojection 57 on the pivoted end of blade 54 is formed on a spring,defined by slitting blade 54 at 58, so that as blade 54 is moved intothe position shown in Fig. 10, the base 55 may deflect bump 57 radiallyinwardly. For the retained position shown in Fig. 10, the bump 57preferably passes the dead-center position, as defined above. Ifdesired, the pivoted end of blade 54 may be further slitted at 59 sothat a second and diametrically opposite bump 60 may similarly retainthe blade 54 in closed position.

The assembly of Figs. 11 and 12 may in all respects resemble thatdescribed for Figs. 1 to 5, except that an extended arcuate recess 61 isprovided on one face of the central blade element 12.. Since the partscorrespond so closely with those of Figs. 1 to 5, they have been giventhe same reference numerals. The purpose of the recess 61' is to reducethe overall width requirements of the assembly and to. permitaccommodation of the bump 23 of blade member 11 without spacing blade 11from blade 12. The arcuate extent of recess 61 preferably exceeds aboutthe pivot axis so that blade 12 may offer no impediment to movement ofthe blade 1.1, regardless of the position of the blade 11 with respectto blade 12. Also the limit 61' of recess 61 is preferably so located asto engage dimple 23 of blade 11' when blade 11 is closed, therebyproviding a more positive locking action to retain blade. 12 closed aslong asblade 11 is closed, it being understood that when blade 11 isclosed, blade 11 is positively retained by detent action at 25-23; thus,all blades, including even the central blade 12, are positivelyreferenced to the case 10 when closed.

It Will be seen that I have described basically simple toolvconstructions involving an absolute minimum of parts and yet featuringpositive retention of parts in selected positions. In particular, Iprovide assurance against tool elements shaking out of position when notin use, and there is positive'detent action to hold any selected toolelement in the open position. For intermediate positions, smooththrust-bearing action is provided with sufficient friction to avoid anyundue looseness.

While I have described the invention in detail for the preferred formsillustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made withinthe scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character indicated, an elongated channel having abase and opposed upstanding side walls and defining a retaining case, anelongated blade member pivotally supported on an axis extending betweensaidside walls, said blade member being movablefrom a closed positionbetween said side walls to an open position projecting away from saidcase, said blade member being formed near the pivotally supportedendthereof with a retaining projection at one angular location aboutsaid' axis, said projection being so located on said blade member as tofrictionally engage a part of said base When said blade member is in thefull-open extended position, said part of said base being integrallyjoined to adjacent portions of both said side walls, said blade endbeing slitted at a location radially intermediate said projection andsaid axis, whereby said end is locally weakened at said projection andsaid projection can be resiliently and radially inwardly deflected toride said base to hold said blade member in the full-open extendedposition.

2. In a tool of the character indicated, a handle comprising asingle-piece sheet-metal channel having a base and opposed upstandingside walls, said base integrally joining said side Walls at one end andthereby defining an abutment at said one end, and an elongated blademember having one end thereof pivotally mounted between said side wallsnear said abutment, said blade member having an edge surface tocooperate with said base in the fullopen extreme position relatively tosaid handle and in engagement with said abutment, thereby defining aline of radial stress on said blade member when in open position, saidline extending from the pivot mounting to the point of contact with saidbase, said blade member being slitted generally transversely of saidline to radially weaken the support of said surface when said blademember is in the full-open extreme position.

3. In a tool of the character indicated, a handle comprising asingle-piece sheet-metal channel having a base and opposed upstandingside walls, said base integrally joining said side walls at one end, andan elongated blade member having one end thereof pivotally mountedbetween said side walls near said end, said base at said end extendinglongitudinally beyond the point of pivotal support, thereby defining anabutment at said end, said blade member being in engagement with saidabutment when in the full-open extreme position relatively to saidhandle,

whereby a radial line normal to said base may be defined on said blademember when in said full-open position, said blade member having asurface including a radially outward projection to cooperate with saidbase, said projection contacting said base on the side of said normalradial line away from said one end when said blade member is in saidfull-open position, said blade member being slitted generallytransversely of said line, whereby said projection may be radiallyinwardly displaced as said blade member is swung between closed and openpositions.

4. The tool of claim 3, in which said blade member includes a secondsimilar projection at a location substantially diametrically oppositesaid first-mentioned projection, said blade member being slitted at asecond location substantially diametrically opposite the location of thefirst-mentioned slit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

